INTRODUCTION:

Sandy has been following Jesus since she was 8 years old.  She studied at SUNY Potsdam and attended Koinonia Church (now New Hope Community Church) way back in the 1980’s.

She and her husband, Kevin, live in the Rochester area and are parents to three grown children.

Sandy serves in Children’s ministry and works at the public library in her town.

God has been gracious to bring many people in her life to encourage her and help her grow in her faith.  Jane has been one of those people! 


Guest blog: I Celebrate Gray Hair

The last few years, I have been thinking about what it means to grow older.  Perhaps it is because my last child has graduated from high school, or because when I look in the mirror, I see a few more wrinkles and gray hair.  Growing older brings about change.  

A few years ago, I was helping a friend out.  She was in beauty school, so I allowed her to color my hair as part of her training.  It turned out very nice. I got many compliments on it.  So a few months later, I felt an obligation to keep coloring my hair.  It was either going to cost me a nice bundle at the beauty shop or some time wrestling with a box of smelly, messy chemicals.  I wrestled with the box, several times.

Why was I doing this?  Was this something I really enjoyed?  As I thought about it, I started feeling rebellious.  Why should I cover up the fact that I have some gray hair?  Why should I care if I have a few wrinkles?  I didn’t like the societal pressure I perceived.  It felt sexist.  Many women color their hair, but the vast majority of men don’t.

Men, too, are bombarded with advertisements these days from hair replacement systems to workouts that will give one a six-pack and everything in between.  I felt angry that our culture worships youth – that I struggle with worshipping my youth.  Why is youth so valuable and old age irrelevant?  I really believe this is a lie from the enemy to distract us from focusing on what is true and good.

God values all life.  In particular, He values His saints in old age.  Proverbs 16:31 says, “Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained in a righteous life.”  Our lives lived for God allow us to speak of His faithfulness to our youth. Psalm 71:18 says, “So even to old age and gray hairs, O God, do not forsake me, until I proclaim Your might to another generation, Your power to all those who come.”  It is not wrong to use hair color or to make ourselves look nice or to take care of our bodies.  It is not wrong unless we have made those things more important than serving and loving God and investing the things He has taught us in other people’s lives.  

Why fear and deny growing older? God is with us.  “Even to old age I am He, and to gray hairs I will carry you.  I have made, and I will bear: I will carry and will save.”  Isaiah 46:4.  He is not afraid of the death of our earthly bodies. “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.” Psalm 115:15.

My prayer is that we desire wisdom more than youthful looks and a relationship with our Lord more than a long life. “So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.” Psalm 90:12.

May we use the days He has given us wisely and let’s celebrate if we are lucky enough to get some gray hairs and wrinkles!

 

4 Responses

  1. Great Bible verses for the seniors. I experienced a period of mourning as age brought about changes to my appearance. I had a tough time accepting my “old” face. I didn’t think my mirror was doing its job accurately. Sandy, I am an older Koinonia alum (70’s) and enjoyed your blog very much.

    1. Judith, I am honored that you enjoyed my blog. I don’t think it is unusual to experience a time of mourning when seasons of our lives change. We do have to make an effort to let go of the past and accept our new situation. We humans are creatures of habit and change can be a difficult thing for us. I hope you are encouraged that God loves you and has a great plan for you throughout your whole life!

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